Thanks a lot Cy and Hilda!
Grog – I haven’t learned to carve smiles yet. That’s my goal for 2015. Right now I’m just trying to get the women’s faces to look feminine. I actually tried to put an understated, Mona Lisa type smile on this gal but somehow it did not seem to work. Now I know what I did wrong; it’s the eyes. Out of habit, I gave her the same glaring gaze I use on the hardened male expressions. Maybe I can fix her…
Will, I’ve got a couple of stool substitutes very similar to that I use myself. Hmmmm…come to think of it, one of them has a slightly pointed head and not so comfy. Maybe that’s why Mila is pissed!

Jeff – the minis are working for me right now. I can satisfy my creative compulsion without taking up a lot of space.
Much appreciated BigT.
Grog –Revisiting Mila, I tried to exaggerate the facial contours and then closed her eyes. It seems to have sweetened her disposition a bit. I am always open to your advice on the facial expressions. Seems to me you know what you’re talking about.

More minis…all under a 12 inches tall.
Mini Marq.

Mini Marq Masks

Mini Moai

And started a mini Maori.

Here are #2 and #3 of the Dusky Phantoms. After I learn to carve women’s faces, I’m going to tackle carving hair on the males.

Using a hat is so much easier.

I also started on Phantoms #4 and #5.

And then finished up on #4.

Still in process on #5 and the last of the Dusky Phantoms...here is a progress shot.

While in our local art museum, I noticed my image in the reflective doors of the elevator. I had never taken a selfie before so I thought I’d try one.

That selfie gave me the idea to do a self portrait so started one of those. I’m pretty happy with the likeness so far.